Crime-scene cleanup specialist receives probation for firearms charge

Friday

Dec 27, 2013 at 4:40 PM

By Susan Spencer TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

DOUGLAS — A man who had worked as a crime-scene cleanup manager was found guilty last week of improperly storing firearms and placed on probation; but assault charges against him from a bloody incident in August were dismissed.

In Uxbridge District Court on Dec. 18, Judge Paul A. Losapio ordered Paul M. Petherick, 42, now living at 12 Maxwell Ave., Norwood, to one year's probation. Mr. Petherick was required to forfeit his firearms, to remain drug- and alcohol-free, and to submit to random drug and alcohol testing. He must also pay a $50 monthly probation fee.

The firearms charge was amended to improper storage of non-large-capacity firearms from the original charge related to large-capacity firearms.

Mr. Petherick, formerly of 22 North St., Douglas, was arraigned in August with the additional charges of assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault with a dangerous weapon.

He was charged after Douglas police, responding to a call, found a 39-year-old woman, who said she had lived with Mr. Petherick for about a month, sitting on the sidewalk outside the house with blood all over her. She was treated at an area hospital for lacerations on the back of her head.

The woman told police she and Mr. Petherick had been arguing about his drinking, and he allegedly hit her on the head with a gun.

A representative of Aftermath Inc., the cleanup company for which Mr. Petherick had worked, confirmed he was no longer employed by the business.

Contact Susan Spencer at susan.spencer@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanSpencerTG.